British Powerlifting Federation

British Powerlifting Federation

World Powerlifting Union

Strict Curl Rules

Rule Book 2023

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BRITISH STRICT CURL FEDERATION RULES

Table of Contents

  1. GENERAL RULES
  2. Sanctioned validity
  3. Championships recognized by the BSCF/BPF
  4. BSCF recognition of World, and British Records
  5. Age categories
  6. Eligibility for specific age groups
  7. Bodyweight categories
  8. Men’s
  9. Women’s
  10. Team Compositions
  11. Point scoring in team competition
  12. World/National Championships
  13. All Others
  14. EQUIPMENT AND SPECIFICATIONS
  15. Platform/Upright Pad (Wall)
  16. Bars and discs
  17. General Description
  18. WSCF ruling on when Special Bar may be used
  19. General rule on type of bar used
  20. Disc specifications
  21. Collars
  22. Bar Saddles

III. ATTIRE AND PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

  1. Shirt
  2. Singlet
  3. Belt
  4. Shoes/foot attire
  5. Wraps/bandages
  6. Gloves/hand attire
  7. Questionable attire: procedures to follow
  8. THE STRICT CURL AND THE RULES OF PERFORMANCE
  9. Rules of Performance
  10. Causes for disqualification
  11. Illustrations
  12. WEIGH-INS
  13. BSCF/BPF 24-hour weigh-in rule
  14. Duration of the weigh-in times
  15. Weigh-in procedure
  16. Personnel/lifter attendance
  17. Lifter Requirements
  18. Accessory Items
  19. “Officially Making Weight”
  20. Weigh-ins and re-weighs
  21. Lifter responsibility
  22. Weight class overweighs
  23. Qualifying standards
  24. Ties among lifters
  25. Re-weigh procedure
  26. Lifters re-weighing the same
  27. Information to be given by lifter at weigh-in
  28. Starting attempts
  29. Attempt changes
  30. ORDER OF COMPETITION
  31. Officials to be appointed
  32. By the meet director/organizer
  33. By the BSCF appointed Head Referee in charge
  34. Persons allowed on the platform
  35. Progressive loading of the bar
  36. Order of lifters taking the same weight
  37. Attempts granted
  38. Minimum amount weight increases between successful attempts
  39. Standard procedure
  40. Exception procedure for World or British Records
  41. Granting of fifth attempts
  42. Failure to successfully make an attempt
  43. Prohibition of attempt change

VII. REFEREES

  1. Designation of the platform referees
  2. Duties of the Chief Referee
  3. Signals required for the Strict Curl
  4. Positioning of referees
  5. Responsibilities of Referees observing a fault of lifter
  6. Side Referee’s
  7. Chief Referee’s
  8. Testing and Status

VIII. RECORDS

  1. World
  2. British
  3. Requirements for registration of a Record
  4. Sanction requirement
  5. Referee credentials
  6. Current BPF card status
  7. Video proof of World records
  8. Current scale certification
  9. Sole exception of a lifter being granted a fifth attempt
  10. Procedure for two lifters lifting the same record weight
  11. Minimum weight increase allowed over existing record

RULES

1. Sanctioned

The British Strict Curl federation (BSCF) will recognize as valid only those lifts that are performed in accordance with BSCF rules at Strict Curl competitions in which the meet director has secured, prior to the meet, an official BSCF sanction by lifters holding a current BPF membership card.

2. Championships recognized

  1. The BSCF conducts, sanctions, and maintains meet records for the BRITISH Strict Curl Championships.
  2. The BSCF conducts, sanctions, and maintains meet records for the following Strict Curl Championships:

Men’s and Women’s OPEN qualifier

“ “ Jr. qualifier

“ “ Masters (over 40 years) qualifier

“ “ Teenage qualifier

Qualifiers currently held in conjunction with The British Powerlifting Federation

3. BSCF recognition of World,

The BSCF recognize World records for the Strict Curl within the age categories described below:

  1. Age categories
  • Men and Women: Open
  • Teenage Men and Women: 13-15, 16-17, 18-19
  • Master Men and Women: M1 40-44, M2 45-49, M3 50-54, M4 55-59, M5 60-64, M6 65-69, M7 70-74, M8 75-79, M9 80 and over
  1. Eligibility for specific age groups

Lifting in competitions must be limited to competitors aged 13 years and older. The lifter must have attained minimum age by the day of the competition where age limits are imposed.

  1. Bodyweight categories (effective January 1, 2022)

The following are the upper limits for each weight class, which must be strictly adhered to. Any lifter weighing over the weight class limits must compete in the next highest weight class.

  1. Men’s B. Women’s

52.5kg 115.75 lbs. 44.5kg 98.0 lbs.

56.5kg 124.5 lbs 48.5kg 107.0 lbs

60.5kg 133.25 lbs 52.5kg 115.75 lbs

68.0kg 149.75 lbs 56.5kg 124.5 lbs

75.5kg 166.5 lbs 60.5kg 133.25 lbs

83.0kg 183.0lbs 68.0kg 149.75

90.5kg 199.5lbs 75.5kg 166.5

100.5kg 221.5lds 83.0kg 183.0

110.5kg 243.5 lbs 90 KG 199.5

125.5kg 276.5lbs 100 KG 221.5

140 KG. 308.6lbs 110 KG 243.5

140+KG 308.7lbs 110+ KG 243.6

II. EQUIPMENT AND SPECIFICATIONS

1. Platform

  1. All lifts must be performed on a wooden or metal platform measuring at least 4 feet by 2 feet.
  2. The surface must be marked with a visible (to lifters and to officials) tape, indicating the maximum heel distance from the wall. An adhesive sandpaper/non-slip tape is permissible.

Upright Pad (The Wall)

The width of the Wall shall be 32”, with a padding of no more than one inch. The height of the Wall must be at least 6 feet), to accommodate taller lifters, and must have padding down to no more than 18” from the floor, to accommodate shorter lifters (see illustration). The pad covering shall be pulled tight enough that no more than one half inch of “play” is detectable between the pad and covering.

2. Bars and discs

  1. General Description

For all contests organized under the rules of the BSCF, only calibrated curl bars and calibrated weights are permitted. The use of equipment that does not meet the specifications set forth by the BSCF will invalidate the contest.

  1. BSCF ruling on when Special Bar may be used

Bar must be a Calibrated Z bar weigh 12.5kg with Calibrated collars of 2.5kg each ( total of 5kg collars) and be 30mm in diameter,

  1. General rule on type of bar used
  2. Z Olympic curl bars.
  3. Disc specifications
  • All discs used in BSCF competition must weigh within one percent of their face value, regardless of the level of contest.
  • The hole size in the canter of the discs must range in between 51mm and 53mm.
  • Discs must be in the following range: 25 KG. (the largest plate to be used), 10 KG., 5 KG., 2.5 KG., 1.25 KG
  • For record purposes only, also 1 KG, .5 KG and .25 KG . plates.
  • For record purposes only, the three lighter discs may be used to achieve a weight of at least ½ KG. More than the existing record.
  • The first and heaviest discs loaded on the bar must be loaded face in, with the rest of the discs loaded face out.
  1. Collars

Collars must always be used in competition and tightened snug to the discs.

3. Bar Saddles

Bar saddles (or bar rests) may be of any sturdy construction: wood, plastic, or metal. The BSCF recommends a height of at least one foot.

III. ATTIRE AND PERSONAL EQUIPMENT

1. Shirt

A T shirt must be worn during competition. At local contests, However, the lifter will be required to don an appropriate shirt on the lifter’s time, or the attempt will be forfeited. All must extend down to the lower garment to be tucked into your singlet.

2. Singlet

Any type of non-support wrestling/ weightlifting type suit. Cannot have any offensive emblems or logos. (The meet director has

sole discretion on what is appropriate.

3. Belt

A competitor may wear a belt. It must be worn on the outside of the lifter’s attire and may not exceed 6 inches in width. The belt may be of any type of material without any metal or other abrasive studs and must be worn around the waist only. The belt buckle must always face toward the front.

4. Shoes/foot attire

Shoes or other foot attire must be worn during competition; any type of un-cleated or un-spiked shoes or boots with a sole is permissible. By definition, shoes shall be taken to include boots, sport shoes, gymnastic slippers, or any other foot covering that has a patterned moulding or foot type outline that provides an inner sole. Wearing socks is optional.

5. Wraps/bandages

Only wraps or bandages of a one-ply commercially woven elastic that is covered with polyester, cotton, or both, are permitted. Virtually any type of fastening device is legal, including adhesive tape, which may wrap around once plus an additional one inch for overwrap. A lifter may wrap in 2 locations on the body: wrists, knees, the wrist wrap must not exceed one meter (3’3”) in length; and the knee wrap must not exceed two meters in length (6’6”). Adhesive tape shall not be used in place of wraps, nor shall it be worn, in any case, underneath a wrap. Wraps shall not be used anywhere else on the body other than the wrists, or knees.

  1. Gloves/hand attire

Gloves of any kind are forbidden to lifters on the lifting platform.

7. Questionable attire: procedures to follow

If a referee notices a lifter’s attire to be in violation of the rules, the referee has a responsibility to inform the lifter before the lift is attempted. During this time the lifter shall make any legal corrections within their 60 second time.

IV. THE STRICT CURL AND THE RULES OF PERFORMANCE

1. Rules of Performance

The lifter shall assume an upright standing position, Curl bar gripped in an underhand manner (palms facing upward) with both hands. Upon removing bar from saddles, lifter shall move backward against the wall to establish the following position, which must be maintained throughout the lift: head, thoracic spine (erectors), and buttocks in contact with the wall, shoes flat on the floor, and heels at a distance not to exceed 16 inches from the wall. Knees may be locked or slightly bent to a position where the knee extends in line (parallel to wall) with the ankle, but may not extend out beyond the ankle, with the bar held at a reasonably straight arms’ length downward. Lifter shall wait in this position for the referee’s signal, which shall be given as soon as the lifter is motionless. The referee’s signal shall consist of a hand motion and the word “Lift!” Upon receiving this command, lifter shall curl the bar upward toward chest in an arcing manner to a point where the sleeve of the bar closest to the lifter passes over the elbow and hold this position motionless for the referee’s signal to replace the bar into the saddles, at which time the lifter may come away from the wall without penalty. The referee’s signal shall consist of a hand motion and the word “Down!”

2. Causes for disqualification

The following are causes for disqualification:

  1. Failure to wait for the referee’s commands.
  2. During the lift, which is defined as from the moment the lifter receives the “Lift!” signal to the moment the “Down!” signal is given, failure to maintain contact with the wall with the head, erectors, or buttocks. C. Heels exceeding 16 inches from the wall.
  3. Knees bent excessively.
  4. Any upward or downward sliding of body along wall.
  5. During the lift, any downward motion of the bar.
  6. Any shifting of the feet during the lift.
  7. Failure to maintain control of the bar at the finished position.
  8. Any “slamming” of the bar down onto the saddles which is deemed unnecessary by referees.
  9. Any profanity deemed as such by the referees may subject the lifter to banishment from the competition.

V. WEIGH-INS

1. BSCF 24-hour weigh-in rule

The BSCF have a rule that it is optional at all competitions to allow weigh-ins to begin, at a maximum of 24 hours, before the lifting session begins.

2. Duration of the weigh-in times

The weigh-in session may be of any duration and may be broken up into several sessions, as long as no more than 24 hours of time passes before the lifter’s first attempt is taken. Lifters must weigh in within the designated times as listed on the entry forms ECT, and do not have the option of weighing in, at their convenience, any time 24 hours before and up to 2 hours before their competitive session begins. The 24-hour weigh-in rule is a privilege, and not a right. Any lifter whose competitive session begins after 24 hours have passed since their weigh-in cannot set records.

3. Weigh-in procedure

  1. Personnel/lifter attendance

The weigh-in for all competitors must be carried out in a closed-door room with only the lifter, his/her coach or manager, and the referees present. The lifters’ bodyweights must not be made public until all lifters have weighed in.

  1. Lifter Requirements

Lifters must be weighed in nude or in standard underwear: briefs for men, bra and panties for women. The weigh-in procedure will ensure that lifters are weighed in by officials, or appointed representatives.

  1. Accessory Items

If it is determined that the clothing and/or other items such as jewellery worn on the scales during the weigh-in does add enough weight to put the lifter in a higher weight class, then the lifter is to remove all items on the body and be reweighed in the nude immediately.

4. “Officially Making Weight”

  1. Weigh-ins and re-weighs

Each lifter may be officially weighed only once. Only those whose bodyweight is heavier or lighter than the limits of the weight class intended to enter may return to the scales. They must return to the scales and make weight within the limits of the hour and a half (90 min.) time allowed for weigh-in, otherwise they must lift in the next higher or next lower weight class. Lifters attempting to make weight may be reweighed as often as time limits allow, without disrupting the line of others waiting to be weighed in. An overweight lifter may, at the referees’ discretion, be allowed one final attempt at making weight within 10 minutes after the weigh-ins end.

  1. Lifter responsibility

A lifter may try to make weight as often as necessary until the weigh-in time has expired. It is the lifter’s responsibility to inform the scales officials that they are “checking” their weight only, and not officially weighing in. It is also the lifter’s responsibility to indicate that they are officially on the scales for the referee to record their weight for the competition.

  1. Weight class overweighs

In the event of an overweight lifter, the lifter may move up to the next-highest class only. A lifter who is too heavy for the desired weight class may move into the next-highest class only provided that not more than one lifter from that team is already entered in that class, and he/she has achieved the minimum qualifying standard required for the higher class, if one has been set for that competition.

5. Qualifying standards

At competitions where a qualifying standard has been determined and set, a lifter who weighs in lighter than the lower limit of his weight class may drop into the lighter weight class, provided that the necessary qualifying standard was achieved for the lower weight class at the lighter bodyweight, Conversely, a lifter may move up a weight class, provided they weigh within the higher limits of that particular weight class, if the standard they have achieved is equal to or higher than the qualifying standard for that weight class.

6. Ties among lifters

  1. Re-weigh procedure

If two lifters record the same bodyweight during weigh-in, and through the course of the competition achieve the same lift, they will be re-weighed after that particular flight is over, and the lighter lifter will be declared a higher placing over the heavier lifter.

  1. Lifters re-weighing the same

If they still weigh the same after re-weighing, they will share the placing, and each receives an award. In such cases, should two lifters tie for first place, the next lifter shall be placed third, and so on

  1. Information to be given by lifter at weigh-in
  2. Starting attempts

Starting weights shall be declared, without fail, by the lifter at weigh-in. This attempt may be changed once, up until 5 minutes before the lifting for that flight begins.

  1. Attempt changes

No weight selection changes may be made on second attempts; however, one change of a third attempt and two changes of a fourth attempt are allowed.

VI. ORDER OF COMPETITION

1. Officials to be appointed

  1. By the meet director/organizer

The meet director/organizer shall appoint the personnel to accommodate the following positions: Expeditors, Loaders, plus any other positions that may assist in smooth, safe, and orderly progression of the competition.

  1. By the BSCF appointed Head Referee in charge

The BSCF appointed Head Referee will designate the certified chair referees, weigh-in referees, and timekeeper.

2. Persons allowed on the platform

During any competition taking place, whether on a stage or platform, only the lifter and their coach, officiating referees, and loaders will be allowed on the stage or around the platform. During the performance of the lift, only the lifter, referees, and loaders are allowed within the vicinity of the lifting area (defined by rope or broad tape). Coaches must remain outside the designated lifting area. An exception to this would be in the case of Special Athletes.

3. Progressive loading of the bar

In all competitions the bar is loaded progressively, the lifter requesting the lightest weight lifting first. The bar, except in rare cases, cannot be reduced in weight once a lift has been executed with the weight announced.

  1. Order of lifters taking the same weight

When two or more lifters request the same weight during any of their attempts, the lighter lifter shall lift first, and so on.

5. Attempts granted

Each lifter shall be allowed a minimum of 3 attempts. In the Rounds System, all first attempts are performed in Round One, second attempts in Round Two, third attempts in third round. Any 4 attempt (only for record breaking purposes) must come at the end of the third round. Any records attempted within the first four attempts will be taken in its normal round, even if the smaller plates are needed to break the existing record by one-half (½) kg.

  1. Minimum amount weight increases between successful attempts
  2. Standard procedure

In BSCF sanctioned competitions, the weight of the barbell must always be in multiples of 1.5 kg. The progression must be at least 1.5kg. between attempts.

  1. Exception procedure for World Records

The sole exception to this 1.5 KG. increase between attempts rule is that for a World Record attempt. The weight may be increased for a record attempt of less than 1.5KG : 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 KG more than the existing record. Such an attempt, if successful, shall be scored as the next lowest multiple of 1.5 KG. for contest purposes. The lifter may attempt a weight not in a multiple of 1.5KG. any time within their four attempts, provided it is for a record. However, if this attempt proves unsuccessful, the lifter must increase to the next higher multiple of 1.5 KG. (if the previous record weight is not requested on the subsequent attempt).

7. Granting of third attempts

A fourth attempt may be granted to a lifter who has, within their three attempts, had credit for a successful lift within a maximum of 10kg. of the existing record. This attempt must be taken with a minimum increase of 0.5 kg. over the existing record, in multiples of 0.5 kg. This attempt shall not count toward the placement of the lifter.

8. Failure to successfully make an attempt

Three unsuccessful attempts within the competition will automatically eliminate the lifter from placing within their weight class and/or age group, and no record forth attempts will be allowed.

9. Prohibition of attempt change

Once the bar has been loaded correctly to the weight requested and the lifter has been called to the platform, and the clock started, the lifter may not change the attempt.

VII. REFEREES

1. Designation of the platform referees

The chair referees shall be selected by the BSCF designated official in charge. They shall be three in number, the Chief Referee in the canter, and the two side referees.

2. Duties of the Chief Referee

The Chief Referee is responsible for giving the necessary commencement and competition signals and is in charge of the platform and all decisions regarding loading errors.

3. Signals required for the Strict Curl

There are two signals given by the Referee. The first is given to start the lift and shall be given when the lifter and bar are motionless. This starting signal shall consist of a visible arm motion along with an audible signal of “Lift!” The second is the completion signal, given when the lifter’s movement is completed, and shall consist of a visual downward arm motion along with the audible signal of “Down!”

4. Positioning of referees

The Chief Referee will be seated directly in front of the lifter; the two side judges shall position themselves where they can see straight across the pad with no obstruction. This will ensure that the three main points of contact with the pad are “adhered to.”

5. Responsibilities of Referees observing a fault of lifter

  1. Side Referees’

The side referees’ observation of a fault shall be made known to the Chief Referee with a raising of the hand. This can be done before the starting signal is given if a fault is observed (such as arms not in a straight position, heels too far away from the wall, etc.), or during the performance of the lift.

  1. Chief Referee’s

If the fault is before the starting signal is given, the Chief Referee, observing a raised hand by one or both side referees, shall not give the starting command, but rather instruct the lifter to replace bar and inform the lifter of a fault. The Chief Referee will then give the signal when proper body position of the lifter is achieved. If the observation of the raised hand/s is made during the performance of the lift, the Chief Referee shall wait until the lifter completes the lift before rendering a decision.

6. Testing and Status

There are three levels of referee status, open to all those with a current BSCF Card: the first level is Standard , second is National, and third is International.

Standard level may referee State Championships and all local meets.

National level may referee National and State Championships and all local meets.

International level may referee World, National, and State Championships and all local meets.

Referees must keep their BSCF membership active and up to date to retain their status. Referees must adjudicate at least two contests a year to maintain good standing.

Standard Referee Testing will be given at local contests and at State Championships, consisting of a practical test, where the candidate will sit and judge, under the scrutiny of the Referee in Charge. National Referee Status, which will be given at National Championship Meets only. The same testing procedure as that at the State level is given plus a Multiple-choice written test . After two years of good standing at the National Referee level, the candidate will become eligible for the International Referee testing. This test will be given at both National and World Championships, with once again the same testing procedure as National.

VIII. RECORDS

1. World Records

World records may be set only when BSCF-recognized referees adjudicate the performance, provided only that the lifter has weighed in properly on a certified scale before the competition, the weight of the barbell and discs have been certified as within one percent (1%).

2. British Records

British records may be set only when National- or International-recognized referees adjudicate the lift. (See World Records above VIII-1.)

5. Requirements for registration of a Record A. Sanction requirement

The competition must be held under the sanction of the BSCF and be conducted under BSCF rules.

  1. Referee credentials

The adjudicating referees must hold current BSCF registration cards, with their status complementing the level of the contest.

  1. Current BPF card status

The lifter must be a current BPF member holding a current BPF card (with the expiration date not past).

  1. Video proof of World records

In order for a World or American Record to be recognized, a clear and unobstructed video recording must be sent to USSCA headquarters for review. The recording must contain the following procedures: A recording of the weights (plates being loaded onto the bar), then without turning off the camera, move around to the side of the wall pad (without interfering with the side referee’s vision) for full clear view of lifter’s position against the pad. (Must be in position to record all three contact points.) The recording must include audio to pick up the Chief Referee’s commands. THIS IS THE Responsibility of the lift up breaking the record

  1. Current scale certification

Scales must have current scale certification of no more than one year from last certify to be used for weigh-ins of lifters attempting records.

6. Sole exception of a lifter being granted a fourth attempt

A successful completion of a lift within 5kg. of an existing record within any of the four attempts will entitle the lifter to an additional 4th attempt for a record. Also, a lifter may attempt to break, by at least ½ kg, a record within their 3 regular attempts. However, this poundage will be rounded back to the nearest 2.5 kg.

increment for class, age group, or Best Lifter placings. (Example: Lifter requests 133.0 kg. to break record by ½ kg. Lift is successful for record purposes only; lifter is credited for weight class placings with 132.5 kg.)

7. Procedure for two lifters lifting the same record weight

In the event of two or more lifters lifting the same record weight, the lighter of the two, bodyweights determined at weigh-in, will be declared the record holder. If both lifters weigh the same at weigh-in and each lifts the same record weight, then each lifter will be immediately reweighed, with the lighter lifter declared the record holder. If, after the re-weigh, both lifters weigh the same, they shall share the record and be declared co-record holders.

  1. Minimum weight increase allowed over existing record

The BSCF/BPF makes allowances to those attempting records to increase the weight a minimum of one-half KG (½ KG.